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Muir Family Literacy Night

The Family Literacy Night at John Muir Elementary School was a big success. Families were able to enjoy literacy activities like fun tongue twisters, reading tic-tac-toe, a book fair and a book giveaway.

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    Preschool

    Preschool at LWSD
    Three preschool students work on a project.

    Overview of the preschool programs offered in LWSD

    The LWSD preschool program focuses on providing children and families with a successful first-school experience. Families with a 3- and/or 4-year-old child living within the boundaries of Lake Washington School District are eligible to apply for the preschool program. Your child must be 3 or 4 years old by August 31, 2023 and live within Lake Washington School District boundaries. (Children who are 5 years old on or before August 31, 2023 must register for Kindergarten.)

    2023-24 preschool information

    Program locations for 2023-24 are below (Subject to change prior to school starting in September)

    • Kirkland: Bell Elementary, Juanita Elementary, Sandburg Elementary
    • Redmond: Old Redmond Schoolhouse, Wilder Elementary
    • Sammamish: Carson Elementary

    Preschool attendance location is determined by your home address.

    Preschool students attend class four days per week. Classes are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. There is no preschool on Wednesday.

    2023-24 preschool sessions

    • AM preschool is 8:40 - 11:10 a.m.
    • PM preschool is 12:10 - 2:40 p.m.

    There are no all-day preschool options at this time.

    2023-24 preschool tuition rates

    Tuition for community preschool students is $4,750 per school year. ($475 monthly payments September- May). A deposit of $475 is required upon enrollment and counts toward your June tuition/payment.

    Transportation is not provided for community preschool students.

    2023-24 community preschool enrollment lottery

    New families interested in securing a seat for their child to enroll at one of the Lake Washington School District (LWSD) preschool sites in the 2023-24 school year, need to enter the enrollment lottery here:

    Preschool enrollment lottery

    Currently enrolled/returning preschool students and preschool students on an IEP or preschool students enrolled in our Head Start program DO NOT NEED to fill out the form

    Preschool enrollment forms received before March 31, 2023 will be entered into a lottery for a seat in the LWSD Preschool program. Lottery will be held the week of April 17, 2023 and families will be notified the week of April 24, 2023. Any students who do not receive a seat via the lottery will be placed on a waitlist for that preschool location/session. 

    Families on the waitlist at specific preschool locations will be called and offered seats as they become available. 

    Please direct any questions to Nichole Townsend, preschool registrar at ntownsend@lwsd.org.

    If you are interested in applying for the Head Start (federally funded) program, please see Head Start section below.

    Special Education Program:

    • If your child has an IEP and is already enrolled in the 2022-23 preschool program and is eligible for another year of preschool, no action is needed. Your student will roll into the 2023-24 school year.
    • If you have concerns about your child’s development or have been referred for an evaluation, please contact our Child Find Coordinator
    • If your student has already been evaluated by Lake Washington School District and has qualified for services, please email the Preschool Registration Team

    The LWSD Preschool Program focuses on providing children and families with a successful first-school experience. Families with a 3- and/or 4-year-old child living within the boundaries of Lake Washington School District are eligible to apply for the preschool program.

    LWSD offers the following preschool programs:

    Head Start

    Head Start is a federally funded comprehensive early childhood program offering services for the entire family and focuses on school readiness. Families whose income meets the federal poverty guidelines qualify for the Head Start component of the preschool program. The program is designed for children ages 3 and 4, with priority for enrollment given to 4-year-olds. Verification of income must be received before a family can be considered for placement in Head Start. A Family Support Specialist works with families to obtain all needed income documentation.

    Head Start Preschool hours (2023-24)

    Morning classes: 8:40 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. or
    Afternoon classes: 12:10 - 3:40 p.m.

    Head Start locations: A.G. Bell (Kirkland) and Old Redmond Schoolhouse

    Learn more about the Head Start Preschool Program

    Lake Washington School District Preschool Program

    The program offers a comprehensive early childhood learning experience in preparation for kindergarten. Classes include typically developing children from the community as well as students receiving special education.

    Preschool hours (2022-23)

    • Morning classes: 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. or
    • Afternoon classes: 1:30 - 4:00 p.m.

    Preschool hours (2023-24)

    • Morning classes: 8:40 - 11:10 a.m. or
    • Afternoon classes: 12:10 - 2:40 p.m.

    Learn more about the Lake Washington School District Preschool Program

    SNAPS

    Students Needing Additional Programming Support (SNAPS) is a special education program serving eligible preschool students ages 3-5 with a primary diagnosis of autism. The SNAPS program is designed to supplement the LWSD preschool program and better meet the needs of students with autism and their families. It is an intensive, early-intervention program that involves extensive evaluation, planning and progress-monitoring to help better prepare children for kindergarten entry.

    SNAPS hours (2023-24):

    SNAPS students attend both preschool and SNAPS.

    8:40 - 11:10 a.m. or 12:10 - 3:40 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, in addition to preschool

    Learn more about the SNAPS Program

    Program structure

    The preschool program school year begins in mid-September. Classes are located at elementary schools across the district. Students are assigned to the school nearest their home with available space. Average class size is 15-18 students. Preschoolers attend four days a week: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

    Preschool children and families have access to a variety of services, which may include:

    • Unique education experiences
    • Literacy program
    • Vision, hearing & developmental screenings
    • Parent education opportunities
    • Health and nutrition education for children and families

    Classroom activities are based on the Creative Curriculum to prepare children for kindergarten.

    Preschool

     

    Contact Us

    Preschool Registration Questions?
    Contact: Nichole Townsend
    Preschool Registrar
    ntownsend@lwsd.org
    425-936-2845

    Concerns about your child’s development or been referred for an evaluation?
    Contact: Linda Pankow, Child Find Coordinator
    lpankow@lwsd.org
    425-936-2846

    For more information on the Head Start preschool program:
    Contact: Sudipta Young 
    suyoung@lwsd.org
    425-936-2812 x52847

    Kim Brenner
    Director of Early Learning
    kbrenner@lwsd.org
    425-936-2844

    Old Redmond Schoolhouse
    16600 NE 80th St.
    Redmond, WA 98052
    425-936-2840